Mercator

The Mercator was built in 1932 in Schotland. It was a training ship and was also used to represent Belgium on international ceremonies and world exhibitions. The ship sailed all over the world. On one voyage it carried the remains of father Damien. On another voyage it carried 2 statues from Easter Island to Europe. The ship was used until 1960. Today the ship has become a museum and it can be visited in Ostend.

Medway Queen

The paddle steamer 'Medway Queen' is the last estuary pleasure steamer surviving in the United Kingdom. She was built in 1924 in Scotland. Medway Queen was built for service between the Medway Towns and Southend-on-Sea. She spent the whole of her working life in this area except for occasional excursions and, of course, for her wartime service. She saw active wartime service between 1939 and 1945 with her finest moment in 1940 when the ship and her crew made seven crossings to the beaches of Dunkirk rescuing 7000 British and French troops. Her bravery and that of her gallant crew lead to the title “Heroine of Dunkirk" being bestowed.

The Medway Queen Preservation Society was formed in 1985 to try and save her. http://www.medwayqueen.co.uk/